gringa musings from a rooftop terrace in Oaxaca

On top of Picacho

Yesterday, we returned to Teotitlán del Valle to join in their annual Día de la Santa Cruz hike up El Picacho, the sacred mountain that watches over this incredibly special pueblo. This year, instead taking the route up the mountain directly from downtown like we did last year (and it kicked our a$$), we drove to the presa (dam) and headed up a surprisingly well-marked trail from there. A symphony of cicadas (cigarras or chicharras, en español), serenaded us as we climbed, young people passed us, and Templo de la Preciosa Sangre de Cristo, off in the distance, got smaller. However, after more than an hour, we sighted our first pack burro (they bring up the food and drink) and knew we had almost reached our destination.

We were welcomed at the top by the family hosting the gathering and given cups of agua de jamaica — just what the doctor ordered! There were even more people than last year, music blared from large speakers the aforementioned burros must have carried up the mountain, a new cross had replaced the one that had been hit by lightning last year, and, of course, the views were breathtaking.

But, with spectacular views in all directions, why was most everyone looking down toward the road from the village to the presa?

A foot race! From what we could understand, there were 3 classes of runners; one that ran all the way from mercado in the center of Teotitlán and other two “only” ran up from the presa. Whichever route they took, as one of the runner’s t-shirt says, they were all “chingon!”

The winner!

Young, lean, and tall.

The first place girl!

Wow, runner and SF 49er fan!

Not all runners are tall and lean.

His parents raised him well.

And so was this gal, who was on her way up as we were coming down.

Muchisimas gracias, yet again, to the people of Teotitlán del Valle for another unforgettable experience.

4 Responses

I’ve climbed Picacho twice, Shannon, but watched the activities yesterday from my deck. I could see the burros and horses and runners and climbers all day long. There was a light on top of Picacho at night on May 2nd. I hear many climb the night before and watch the sunrise on the 3rd.

[…] on a slightly different character. This year brought the newly built kitchen space and, unlike last year, no foot race up the mountain, and the absence of massive speakers blasting music — for which […]